Pharmac considering funding changes for childrens' cancer drugs after discrimination claim - a podcast by RNZ

Pharmac is likely to end its blanket provision for kids' cancer drugs.
Until now child paediatric oncology drugs have been provided under a special exception allowing hospitals to give children with cancer any medicine their doctor asks for and Pharmac pays the bill.
But an advocate for children with a rare and deadly genetic disease known as SMA took a claim of discrimination.
Fiona Tolich asked why Pharmac would pay for any drug needed by a child with cancer but wouldn't pay for a drug that can save the lives of children with SMA.
But rather than moving to fund SMA drugs, Pharmac says it may abolish the special rule allowing blanket access to child cancer drugs.
Investigative Journalist Guyon Espiner reports.

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